May 24, 2013 David E. Steitz Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1730 david.steitz@xxxxxxxx RELEASE: 13-150 NASA STATEMENT ON SPACE TECHNOLOGY MEETINGS IN EUROPE WASHINGTON -- The following is a statement from NASA's associate administrator for space technology, Michael Gazarik, about his meetings this week in Europe to discuss potential cooperation on development of space technologies that will enable NASA's future missions. These include the asteroid initiative announced in the president's fiscal year 2014 budget proposal. "During my meetings this week with the German Space Agency, DLR; the European Space Program, ESA; and the French Space Program, CNES, I had an opportunity to view and learn about our partner's areas of technology focus and expertise and begin the process of identifying areas of potential cooperation in space technology. Our working-level discussions proved to be informative and productive. Our meetings also allowed me to share NASA's plans for our new asteroid initiative. NASA recognizes cooperation and collaboration are critical to meet increasingly global challenges. I look forward to working with our partners as we create the new knowledge and capabilities needed to enable the space missions of the future." Gazarik is head of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is innovating, developing, testing and flying hardware for use in NASA's future missions. For more information about NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech -end- To subscribe to the list, send a message to: hqnews-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To remove your address from the list, send a message to: hqnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx